My first post will explain the context for starting this blog...
I first learned a type of spiritual listening from Carolyn in Washington state, who was speaking at a conference for people living and working overseas. From this conference she agreed to come to Tunis along with Cori, and provide some leadership training for me and some other girls from neighboring Muslim countries that I knew. There we were able to continue in this practice.
The premise was this: Read a passage from the gospels where Jesus is interacting with people. Read it a second time, trying to picture yourself in the scene. Imagine the sun hitting your shoulders, or squinting through it to look at him. Imagine the breeze in your hair, the outdoor smells, the feel of grass under you. This is easier for anyone who has traveled to the Mediterranean or Middle East, but it’s not essential that you get all the local details right. It’s important to put yourself ‘in’ the scene near him. From here you read the passage a third time. Now you’re paying attention to what he is saying. Hearing the words, experiencing the drama more locally, more personally. At this point, you can ask Him a question. Does he answer you? If so, journal this exchange.
There were a few times where this exercise was really profound for me. Some things came up, that I was eager to talk to others about. In one instance I was confused about what I heard. I asked some others for help discerning the experience, and was helped.
Later, I took Awatef through this exercise, sitting on the front porch of our house in Tunis. She heard something very quickly and very clearly, and basically felt the need to forgive someone in a situation that had been complicated and bothering her.
Other times, I have tried to quiet my mind and do something like this, but have been frustrated by wandering thoughts, or not really getting much from it. I know this is a normal part of the process, but I found myself wishing I had someone to guide me and lead me through this. I wanted a blog to follow to keep me on track.
I realized I would have to supply this blog myself, and recruit some fellow spiritual listeners to join with me in listening together. I mentioned it to Emily in NYC who said she would love to be in and to start it.
The group will motivate me to carve the time out for this, and give me a place to share what happens. I’m also hoping to be inspired by the other comments people share – even very insignificant thoughts – when coming from New York City, San Francisco, Oklahoma City, Tunis, St. Petersburg – and when coming from business professionals, artists, social workers, mothers – create an effect that is very profound.
Yet, the point is not to share profound thoughts – just honest ones and personal ones, and to hear from the Lord for ourselves.
I want to have an imaginative gospel reading at least once a week. Other days I will share some thoughts from an author like Eugene Peterson, or use other types of meditations from other sources. A little variety keeps things fresh.
